PHILIPSBURG:---  During the weekly press briefing, Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina announced a historic step toward strengthening patient safety and professional standards with the introduction of a National Healthcare Professional Registry (HCPR). The Prime Minister described the new registry as a long-overdue reform aimed at improving healthcare quality for the people of St. Maarten.

Dr. Mercelina explained that over the years, the absence of a unified national system has led to ongoing confusion and limitations in recognizing qualified healthcare providers. “It is important for St. Maarten to have clarity on who is authorized to provide medical care in the country and what qualifications are required,” he stated. The current gap has at times created challenges that put patient safety and public trust at risk.

A particular challenge has been the reliance on international models, such as the Dutch BIG legislation. The Prime Minister noted that if the BIG law were strictly implemented, many competent doctors, even those who studied in other parts of Europe, would not qualify for registration in St. Maarten. “We’ve seen cases where highly qualified specialists from abroad, including European-trained doctors outside the Netherlands, were unable to practice here because their credentials were not recognized under the BIG requirements,” Mercelina said. This has sometimes forced the country to turn away much-needed expertise and has even led to situations in which specialists could operate elsewhere but not in St. Maarten due to legal technicalities.

Reflecting on this, Dr. Mercelina emphasized that HCPR is designed to address these long-standing barriers. The new registry will be custom-made for St. Maarten, ensuring local needs and realities are front and center. The HCPR will not only clarify who is authorized to deliver care but also set clear qualification requirements, ensuring a transparent and fair process.

Key Challenges and Context:

The BIG registration system, originating from the Netherlands, has been a significant hurdle for St. Maarten. While the Netherlands has robust educational institutions that ensure the quality of medical professionals, St. Maarten faces a different reality. The island does not have the same influx of medical professionals and must rely on expertise from other countries, such as Colombia and Venezuela.

Dr. Mercelina highlighted the contributions of foreign-trained specialists like Dr. Rojas, Dr. Ramos, and Dr. Pinto, who have been instrumental in providing urological care on the island. Their success underscores the potential of welcoming professionals from diverse backgrounds. However, the current reliance on the Dutch system has made it difficult to attract such talent, as the BICH registration does not address St. Maarten's unique needs.

Additionally, the island's healthcare system requires generalists capable of managing a wide range of medical cases, from trauma to routine surgeries. This contrasts with the highly specialized roles common in larger countries, making it challenging to find professionals who can adapt to St. Maarten's demands. Dr. Mercelina noted that generalists on the island often face situations requiring immediate and versatile responses, without the luxury of academic backup or advanced technology.

Features of the HCPR:

• Mandatory Registration: All healthcare professionals working in St. Maarten must register and periodically re-register.
• Continuous Professional Development: The registry will require ongoing education to ensure professionals remain current with medical advances.
• Competency and Skills Assessments: The system will ensure practitioners maintain high standards by regularly evaluating their skills.
• International Recognition: Importantly, the HCPR will recognize approved foreign medical registers and create an admission pathway for foreign-trained professionals, assessing not only their knowledge and technical expertise but also their familiarity with the local healthcare context.

Development and Implementation:

The development process for the HCPR began in 2019 with extensive consultation from healthcare professionals and reference to international examples. The draft legislation is currently under review at the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development, and Labor (VSA) before proceeding to parliamentary debate and eventual implementation.

Importance of the HCPR:

Dr. Mercelina stressed that the registry is not just a regulatory tool but a commitment to better, safer, and more accountable healthcare. It aims to attract professionals tailored to St. Maarten's unique needs, ensuring the island's healthcare system can meet the demands of its population and the new hospital.

He also emphasized the need for St. Maarten to establish its own legislation to serve its people effectively. “We are part of the kingdom, but we must be able to make legislation that is actually going to be beneficial to serve the people of St. Maarten,” he stated. The HCPR represents a critical reform that will support the medical community and reassure everyone who relies on their care.

Prime Minister Mercelina closed by expressing his personal commitment to seeing the HCPR become law. “This registry is not just a regulatory tool, but a promise to our people for better, safer, and more accountable healthcare in St. Maarten. It is a critical reform that will support our medical community and reassure everyone who relies on their care.”

PHILIPSBURG:--- PM Mercelina Criticizes Political Games in Parliament, Cites Disservice to Frontline Workers
Philipsburg — During the government’s weekly press briefing, Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina delivered a pointed critique of recent developments in Parliament, warning that continued political gamesmanship is undermining efforts to resolve critical issues facing St. Maarten’s frontline workers, particularly members of the Fire Department.
Dr. Mercelina described his frustration over what he termed “the prioritization of political maneuvering over the urgent needs of our public servants.” He stressed that while the government has worked to address the ongoing dispute with the Fire Department union—especially regarding retroactive payments, job placements, and the implementation of a new function book—legislative inaction has stalled tangible progress. “These issues are not new. We have worked hard to agree on retroactive payments and to ensure the correct placement process for our workers, all guided by the newly adopted function book,” he said. “But time and again, the focus is shifted away from solutions.”
Referring to last Thursday’s parliamentary walkout, sparked by his absence due to official business in Aruba, the Prime Minister confirmed that Deputy Prime Minister Grisha Heyliger Marten had been authorized to handle matters in his stead. “Parliament is well aware that there are proper procedures in place for representation. Walking out did nothing but delay the critical conversations that our community so desperately needs to move forward,” he stated.
Addressing the failed follow-up meeting scheduled for Tuesday, February 3rd, Dr. Mercelina noted that several opposition MPs were absent. He said the opposition members of parliament are the ones who requested the meeting, and when the meetings are scheduled, there is no show. It should be noted that three of the opposition Members of Parliament are off-island, and the chair of Parliament failed to convene the meeting on Monday, February 2nd, 2026.
Dr. Mercelina provided a comprehensive update on the government’s steps to resolve the dispute, noting that negotiations with the union had already resulted in agreements on retroactive payments and that the appointment of a mediator had been completed to help bridge outstanding gaps. He explained, “We have moved forward in good faith, agreeing to a mediator and making progress on virtually all substantive issues. However, the union’s shifting demands, particularly the recent push for all ministers to join the talks directly, create unnecessary complexity and risk undermining the entire mediation process.”
The Prime Minister also raised concerns about demands for a “commitment letter” that would commit the government to actions lacking a solid legal basis. “Governance must rest on agreements that can actually be realized. It does not serve anyone to make promises we cannot fulfill within the legal framework of our country,” he emphasized.
Looking at the broader impact of these political maneuvers, Dr. Mercelina argued that each delay and act of posturing sends a discouraging message to frontline employees. “These delays do not just slow progress—they hurt the trust, morale, and financial security of our firefighters and other dedicated civil servants. Our focus has to be on outcomes, not optics.”
He concluded with a call to action, urging all representatives, regardless of party, to recommit to working for the benefit of St. Maarten’s people. “Parliament must set aside tactics and self-interest and return to the business of real governance. The lives and livelihoods of our frontline workers, and indeed the standard of governance for St. Maarten, depend on it.”

PHILIPSBURG:--- Public-private partnerships (PPPs) are a cornerstone of the current government's strategy for national development, according to Minister of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure (VROMI), Patrice Gumbs Jr., the Minister addressed the value of these collaborations, emphasizing the government's unified approach and its focus on ensuring that such partnerships deliver tangible results for St. Maarten.
Responding to a press release from MP Doran , Minister Gumbs expressed his wholehearted agreement that if PPPs can be used to rebuild infrastructure like docks, they can certainly be applied to rebuilding schools. However, he stressed that extra care must be exercised when these partnerships involve sensitive areas, such as children's education and well-being.
The Minister pushed back against any insinuation that there is a lack of alignment within the Council of Ministers regarding the value of PPPs. He highlighted that these partnerships are a key element of the government-led program, demonstrated by the cross-cutting nature of the recently presented inter-ministerial policy. This policy is designed to ensure that all initiatives align with national priorities and meet established quality standards.
From Words to Action: The Importance of Good-Faith Execution
Minister Gumbs also addressed claims that previous administrations initiated numerous partnerships while the current government is "doing nothing." He posed a direct question to the public: if these partnerships were established, where are their fruits?
He explained that partnerships, no matter how well-intentioned on paper, require active effort and good faith from all parties to succeed. "The reality is, ladies and gentlemen, partnerships do not bear fruit if they're not watered in good faith," he stated. "Different players bring different energy."
This statement underscores the government's focus not just on creating partnerships, but on actively managing them to ensure they are productive and achieve their intended goals. The emphasis is on moving beyond discussions and agreements to concrete actions and visible outcomes that benefit the people of St. Martin. The government's stance is clear: successful public-private partnerships are those that are diligently nurtured and aligned with the nation's strategic objectives.
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PHILIPSBURG: --- The Ministry of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure (VROMI) has successfully completed demolition operations on a parcel of government land on Pond Island. Minister Patrice Gumbs Jr. confirmed the removal of unauthorized structures, including multiple shacks, containers, abandoned vehicles, and fencing. This action underscores the government's commitment to enforcing proper land management and addressing illegal construction.
The operation was conducted after an extended period of communication with occupants and stakeholders. The process began in September, providing months of advance notice. A final notification was issued on January 12th, specifying the demolition start date. Minister Gumbs noted that the government deliberately scheduled the work after the Christmas holidays to consider the residents involved.
Before the demolition began, ministry inspectors conducted thorough site assessments and documented all structures. The execution was coordinated with all relevant stakeholders, including utility providers, to ensure a safe and organized process.

Clarifying Land Ownership and Future Actions

Minister Gumbs used the opportunity to send a critical message regarding land ownership. He stated clearly that merely occupying land, even for an extended period, does not confer legal ownership or long-term lease rights. The only way to secure such rights is through a deed passed at a notary.
With the Palm Island parcel now clear, the government intends to review other parcels of government land where unauthorized construction has occurred. The Minister also clarified that the National Recovery Program Bureau (NRPB) is not involved in this demolition and that there will be no relocation compensation from that entity. He urged individuals in similar situations not to wait for a payout but to take action.
Acknowledging Deeper Societal Issues
While enforcing regulations, Minister Gumbs also recognized that the situation on Palm Island is a symptom of deeper societal challenges. He cited a critical shortage of housing, complex immigration issues, and broader socioeconomic problems as contributing factors.
The government acknowledges that enforcement alone is not the entire solution. These underlying issues will be addressed collectively through comprehensive government action and will be a focus within the forthcoming housing policy.
The Minister expressed sincere appreciation to the VROMI team, the police force, and all cooperating agencies for their professionalism, which enabled the safe execution of the operations. The government remains committed to effective land management to prevent unsanitary conditions that often result from unauthorized occupation.